US Open on public courses

[BowmanvilleJim]

Bethpage Black, Torrey Pines and now Chambers Bay in Washington State have been awarded US Opens and all are public courses. What is the motivating factor for the USGA?

Is it to reach out the joe average golfer who isn't a member of a private club? Is it because public courses are probably easier to deal with in that you don't have to worry about the members and their committees? Is it because publicly owned courses by virtue of their connection to local gov't would be easier when dealing with logistics and permits etc?

[hogannut]

I kind of like it. It is cool thinking you could just "show up" and pay your green fee and play a US OPen course. Can't make a comment on whether or not it is easier dealing with public facilities or not, but one would think if you were the private course it would be an honour to have a US Open at your course.

I remember going to Oakland Hills (private) for the 1996 US Open. Man what a course!!! I have never seen greens with that much undualtion before or since. Also, I wanted to see this "hot shot" amatuer who went by the name Tiger, and went out to see what all the fuss was about. I had seen him at the Masters and the US amatuer, so I did know who he was.

So there I was with my father, my girl friend at that time, and 3 other people watching TIger. 6 people following TIger Woods around. That will never happen again!

[Merlot]

I kind of like it. It is cool thinking you could just "show up" and pay your green fee and play a US OPen course. Can't make a comment on whether or not it is easier dealing with public facilities or not, but one would think if you were the private course it would be an honour to have a US Open at your course.

I remember going to Oakland Hills (private) for the 1996 US Open. Man what a course!!! I have never seen greens with that much undualtion before or since. Also, I wanted to see this "hot shot" amatuer who went by the name Tiger, and went out to see what all the fuss was about. I had seen him at the Masters and the US amatuer, so I did know who he was.

So there I was with my father, my girl friend at that time, and 3 other people watching TIger. 6 people following TIger Woods around. That will never happen again!

Unreal. What a great story. Wish I was there.

I too like the idea of public courses. When the consortium headed by Arnie and Clint bought Pebble, they more then doubled the price.

They should be disgusted with themselves. Specially Arnie. Blue collar guy and all.

[Richard]

I would guess the courses/municipalities bid for the opportunity, just a guess

[jamesduncan]

I keep my handicap at Bethpage.

While living in NYC, it was my local "muni" in someways. Played Black every Sat and Sun.

Well, like has been mentioned, there is the "charm" factor of being able to actually play a course that a US Open has been played on. Also, in case of BPB, there was the "mystique" factor of a famous old layout much lauded by locals yet not recognized on the national stage.

Also in someways its a recognition by the USGA that there are fantasic, classic courses that arent nessessarily private clubs.

Looking forward to 09 for sure.

[moneyjism]

Yeah I like it just for the Open because the Open has that vibe that anyone can play the tournament as long as you qualify, so why not have it on public courses.

[cldale]

Just my two cents, but I think too there is increasing recognition that some public courses have GREAT layouts. BPB obviously.. but there are a lot of publics built in the last 50 years that are worthy of consideration.

[spackler]

Although they're not, strictly speaking, public golf courses, both Pebble Beach and Pinehurst no 2 are part of the regular US Open rotation and are open to public play. If there are public courses that can provide the challenge needed to test the game's best, and it makes sense logistically, I think that's where the USGA wants to be. What better way to bring the game to the people than to play it on courses anyone can play?

[BeLikeBen]

Tangentially related but I thought that years ago Kings Forest was discussed as a possible Canadian Open venue by either the RCGA or the City of Hamilton. It doesn't take much imagination to to see the potential of the course itself. Amenities, etc. though...